The city of Johannesburg is the center of industry and business in South Africa. It attracts a lot of business and financial travellers, but is not particularly known as a destination for tourists. Rather, most vacationers who find their way to Johannesburg do so as a way of connecting to other parts of the country such as Durban and Cape Town. The city has actually worked hard in recent years to develop attractions designed to convince visitors to stay in Johannesburg for awhile, or to come back on a separate trip.
Some of the recent attractions to open in Johannesburg include the Apartheid Museum. The city actually has a number of interesting museums including the Museum Africa and the Johannesburg Art Gallery as well as the Hector Pieterson Museum which is also a recent addition. The Johannesburg Planetarium is also of interest.
Another recent development in the city designed to draw tourists and residents alike is Gold Reef City, which is a large amusement park. For those who prefer wildlife and nature, a visit to the Johannesburg Zoo, the Walter Sisulu Botanica Gardens or the Montecasino Bird Gardens are in order.
Many visitors find that the city’s former townships provide a unique persepective on South African history and culture. Alexandra and Soweto are popular destinations, esp. the Mandela Museum in Soweto. Other cultural areas to investigate include the Mellville Village, the Lesedi Cultural Village ad the Market Theater precinct.
The city also has great shopping, wonderful restaurants,and wonderful Johannesburg hotels. Craft and flea markets offer local arts and crafts as well as traditional clothing and household items. The city’s shopping malls are designed in the style of western malls. The restaurants provide a stunning variety of cuisines including Indian, Mediterrarean, Chinese, and even European and cuisines from the America.